Hoffman Estates Seamstresses

Wendy C.

Verified review

I got an immediate response from Susan after my request for a seamstress on Thumbtack and could tell right away that she was punctual, polite and professional so hired her to sew a series of sheer curtains for the front of my house. We communicated via e-mail and she not only understood my rambling and somewhat vague request, but offered good solutions to my window treatment issues. She had great communication throughout the process and completed the work in a timely manner. I would not hesitate to hire Susan in the future.

Alyssa B.

Verified review

Anne is an amazing and talented seamstress, crafter and teacher. I employed her my costume shop for 6 years, 5 of which as my close assistant. Anne is friendly, patient and incredibly skilled at what she does. In my shop she instructed volunteers and employees from the most basic skill levels to the more advanced. She is not only skillful and professional, but also a great person to work with and will help you to sew and craft almost anything your imagination desires. I have seen her help build fantastical fairies, gorgeous historical costumes, steampunk outfits and even much of her own beautiful wedding crafts and decor. If I had the choice to work with anyone on a project I would chose Anne, because I would know she would help create the very best and have fun doing it.

About

I started going to school at Athens, Greece to start designing, making patrons to costume size and working at Bonwit Teller for several years from 1980. I then started working from home the last 25 years. I am very good as far as my profession is concerned. I deliver the same day or as needed. If you need an experienced seamstress, you found one! Ask for Pitsa!

Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What do seamstresses do?

Seamstresses provide tailoring, alteration and custom sewing for clothing or costumes. Seamstresses can reshape clothing that is too big or too small so that it fits properly — for example, hemming pants that are too long or bringing in the waistband of pants or a skirt that is too large. Seamstresses can also provide more complex alterations such as adding tucks to shape a dress or bringing in the body of a shirt. More time and expertise will be required for challenging fabric such as silk or clothing with lining, like a blazer or lined slacks. Seamstresses are also skilled in altering wedding dresses and other formal wear. The time and skill required for these types of alterations is greater than for basic tasks like hemming, so be sure to find an experienced seamstress to handle your special items.

Many seamstresses can also custom-make clothing for you. To come up with the design, you can bring in a pattern you like or an item of clothing you want the seamstress to replicate, or ask the seamstress to create a pattern for you. You can bring your own unique design to life with the help of a seamstress. There is no formal job training required to be a seamstress; many learn to sew and design from practical experience. For larger projects, like tailoring a suit, always be sure to review portfolios of work and read about the seamstress’s experience before committing.

Are you supposed to tip a seamstress?

Tipping seamstresses is not standard protocol. That said, anytime a talented seamstress goes above and beyond, offering a gratuity is a thoughtful gesture. A gratuity might be appropriate if the seamstress accepted a large project for you at the last minute — for example, hemming new suit pants the night before your work trip or taking in your party dress the day before your birthday. A gratuity may also be appropriate as recognition for the long hours of skilled stitching that your seamstress has put in altering your wedding dress, which often requires multiple fittings and precise fixes to make your dress perfect. If you do decide to offer a gratuity, first ask if the seamstress accepts gratuities; if they do, offer them an additional 15 percent to 20 percent of the total bill.

How much do seamstresses charge?

The price for seamstress services will vary depending on the type of work you have done. The national average rate for a seamstress or tailor is $150-$280. Simple projects like repairing holes and hemming jeans usually have flat rates; larger projects, such as sewing custom creations, altering suits or altering wedding dresses, are typically priced based on the specifics of the fabric and pattern and the amount of work time needed. Here are a few examples of tailor and seamstress average costs:

Shorten sleeves of a dress shirt: $19.

Shorten jacket sleeves: $23 (without buttons) to $28 (with buttons).

Take in the body of a jacket: $40 (two seams) to $52 (three seams).

Take in a dress shirt: $20.

Adjust the shoulders of a jacket: $35.

Hem a skirt or dress: $10-$14.

Take in or let out a skirt or pair of pants: $15 (unlined) to $20 (lined) or $25 (with a zipper).